Illuminated puzzle



United States Patent O US. Cl. 273-157 4 Claims ABSTRACT OF THEDISCLOSURE In general my invention contemplates the provision of aback-lit illuminated puzzle in which a receptacle has transparentintersecting walls forming a plurality of identical compartments inwhich respective elements of transparent material having shapescorresponding to the compartment shape are adapted to be assembled toform a picture made up of portions each carried by a correspondingsurface of an element. I provide each element with extensions at edgesof said surface for concealing the upper edges of the compartmentforming walls. I dispose a source of illumination below a lightdiffusing partition placed above the bottom of the receptacle.

Background of the invention:

There are known in the prior art various forms of puzzles comprising aplurality of pieces adapted to be assembled in cooperating relationshipto provide a picture of a scene or the like. One of the most popularforms of puzzle is the jigsaw puzzle in which a plurality of irregularlyshaped pieces are assembled. In many instances the pieces areinterlocking so that once a number of them have been assembled they willnot readily become separated. Other forms of jigsaw puzzles are notprovided with interlocking parts but the pieces have randomly irregularshapes so that edges of only two pieces can properly be fitted to formany particular part of the puzzle. It will be appreciated that the shapeof the pieces assists in assembling the puzzle. Still another form ofpuzzle comprises pieces all of which have substantially the same shapeand which must be assembled solely in accordance with the visualrepresentation to be produced by the assembled puzzle.

In the first form of puzzle mentioned above no great difiiculty isinvolved in retaining the parts together after they have been assembled.While a puzzle of the second type may become disassembled in response toa shock or the like, it is relatively easily reassembled since the shapeof the pieces, as well as the visual representation, assists the playerin assembling the pieces. The last type of puzzle is not readilyreassembled once it is disturbed. Moreover, the pieces more easilybecome dissassembled than is the case with a jigsaw puzzle.

It is desirable to illuminate the assembled puzzle in order to make itmore attractive. Not only does it enhance the appearance of any puzzle,but it is more desirable in a puzzle which may be permanently assembledas a decorative piece.

I have invented an illuminated puzzle having pieces which are all of thesame general shape. My puzzle has means for holding the pieces inassembled relationship while at the same time permitting illuminationthereof without destroying the overall effect of the picture presented.The retaining means of my puzzle is concealed from view when the puzzleis assembled. It is simple in construction and inexpensive tomanufacture.

Description of the invention One object of my invention is to provide anilluminated puzzle having means for retaining the pieces thereof inassembled relationship.

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Another object of my invention is to provide an illuminated puzzle inwhich a smooth, continuous picture is presented to the viewer when thepuzzle is assembled.

A further object of my invention is to provide an illuminated puzzlehaving a piece positioner which is concealed from view when the piecesare assembled.

A still further object of my invention is to provide an iluminatedpuzzle which is simple in construction and which is inexpensive tomanufacture.

Other and further objects of my invention will appear from the followingdescription.

In the accompanying drawings which form part of the instantspecification and which are to be read in conjunction therewith and inwhich like reference numerals are used to indicate like parts in thevarious views:

FIGURE 1 is an exploded view of a preferred form of my illuminatedpuzzle showing the :relationship of the parts thereof.

FIGURE 2 is a fragmentary plan view of my illuminated puzzle in apartially assembled condition.

FIGURE 3 is a fragmentary sectional view of by illuminated puzzle.

FIGURE 4 is a plan view of an alternative embodiment of my illuminatedpuzzle.

Referring now to FIGURES 1 to 3 of the drawings, the preferred form ofmy illuminated puzzle includes a box indicated generally by thereference character 10 of square or rectangular configuration includingfour sides 12, 14, 16 and 18 and a bottom 20. While I form the box ofany suitable material, preferably I make the box from a suitable opaqueplastic. By way of example, it might be formed of colored polystyrene orany other suitable material. I provide the box 10 with a horizontalpartition or false bottom 22 spaced above the bottom 20 to provide aspace 24 for receiving illuminating elements to be describedhereinafter. I so form the partition 22 as to diffuse light coming fromthe space 24 so as to avoid bright spots in the assembled puzzle. Thismay be achieved by using a frosted polystyrene to form the partition 22.

The form of my puzzle illustrated in FIGURE 1 includes an insertindicated generally by the reference character 26 adapted to be set intothe box '10 so as to rest on partition 22. Insert 26 is made up ofrespective side walls 28 and 30 as well as a plurality of walls 32running parallel to the wall 28 and a plurality of walls 34 runningparallel to the wall 30. Walls 32 and 34 intersect at equally spacedpoints therealong to form a plurality of piece receiving compartmentsindicated generally respectively by the reference characters 36. It willreadily be understood that I may form the insert 26 in any suitablemanner which will result in the compartments 36. The walls may, forexample, be provided with slits in the manner of an egg cratereceptacle. Alternatively, the inserts may be made as a unit in anymanner known in the art. Preferably I make the insert 26 from a suitabletransparent material such as a clear polystyrene.

After the insert 26 has been formed it is inserted into the box 10 so asto rest on platform 22. When the insert has thus been positioned in thebox, all of the compartments 36 are open for the reception of the piecesof the puzzle. Each of the puzzle piece 38 has a shape which conforms tothe shape of the receptacle compartments as so as to form a relativelyclose fit therewith. That is, While the pieces may readily be insertedinto and removed from the compartments, there is relatively littlemotion permitted once a piece 38 has been inserted into a compartment36. I form the pieces 38 from a transparent material which again may bepolystyrene. While they could be solid, for economic reasons and forsimplicity preferably I make them hollow.

It will readily be appreciated that with the insert 26 placed in the boxnot only are the compartments 36 open for the reception of pieces, butalso the upper edges 40 of the walls of the insert are exposed. 1 soform my pieces 38 as to conceal these wall edges 40 when they areproperly assembled in the compartments 36. Each piece 38 has a top orupper surface 42 carrying a portion of the picture to be represented. Aswill be apparent from the following description, the picture itself istranslucent so as to permit illumination of the same from the underside.

Each of these tops of the pieces 38 carries a pair of flanges 44 and 46extending along two edges thereof and forming continuations of thesurface 42 of the piece. I so construct the flanges 44 and 46 as toextend beyond the sides of the piece 38 for a distance corresponding tothe thickness of the walls of the insert 26, For example, a piece 38which is to be assembled in the compartment 36 located at the corner atwhich walls 28 and 30 meet has flanges 44 and 46 at the sides of thepiece adjacent the walls 28 and 30. Thus, when that piece is properlyassembled the portions of the edges 40 of walls 28 and 30 at that cornerare concealed. Though the portions of the edges 40 of the walls 28 and30 at that corner are concealed, there remain portions of the edges 40of two walls 32 and 34 forming that compartment which are exposed. Thesewall portions will be covered by flanges 44 and 46 of pieces assembledin compartments adjacent the corner compartment. This operationcontinues throughout the assembly operation until finally the entirepuzzle is assembled to provide a continuous picture having nooutstanding discontinuities and with all of the edges 40 concealed fromview. Pieces 38 may have a height corresponding to the depth of thecompartments 36. Alternatively the pieces may be shallower than thecompartments so that the flanges 44 and 46 support the pieces in thecompartment 36 on edge 40.

It will thus be appreciated that the insert 26 performs its function ofholding pieces 38 in the compartments 36 in which they have beenassembled while at the same time not detracting from the appearance ofthe finished puzzle.

As has been explained hereinabove, I provide my puzzle with meanslocated in the space 24 for illuminating the puzzle from the undersidethereof. I mount a plurality of bulb receptacles or sockets 48 atsuitably spaced locations on the bottom below partition 22. Respectivebulbs 50 are carried in the sockets. A battery 52 in the space 24 isconnected by a switch 54 mounted in wall 14 below partition 22 toconductors 56 and 58 leading to the lamps. I so arrange switch 54 as tobe accessible from outside the space 24 to permit the lamps to be lit.Partition 22 may be made removable in any manner known to the art topermit access to the space 24 for replacement of parts as required.

While I have shown a plurality of bulbs 50 and a battery 52 as being thesource of illumination, it will readily be appreciated that I may useany suitable means known to the art. For example, fluorescent or othertype bulbs might be employed and I could arrange my system so as topermit it to be plugged into a suitable wall receptacle.

In the form of my invention thus far described, I have shown generallysquare pieces 38 adapted to fit into square compartments 36 formed by aninsert 26. It will readily be appreciated that I may alternatively formmy pieces in any shape so as to fit into compartments of acorrespondingly shaped insert in a suitably shaped box. Referring toFIGURE 4, I have shown a hexagonal box indicated generally by thereference character 66 having an insert formed by a plurality of walls62 and adapted to receive pieces 64, each of which has flanges 66 and 68along two edges thereof so as to conceal the upper edges of walls 62when the pieces are properly positioned. While it is within the scope ofmy invention to employ this or other configurations, preferably I employan arrangement wherein all the pieces are identical in that each has itsflanges along the same sides.

For purposes of simplicity and for clarity in exposition I have notshown the picture formed by my puzzle in most views. By way of example,the picture might be a design, a part of which is illustrated in FIGURE2. It will be further be understood that any portions of any of thesurfaces 42 which are not covered with the design are made translucent.

In use of my illuminated puzzle, insert 36 is placed in box 10. Thepieces 38 are then inserted in the compartments 36 so that the flanges44 and 46 rest on and cover the edges 40 formed by a pair of walls. Atthe same time, the pieces are so placed as to form the picture to resultfrom the assembly. When the picture has properly been assembled, switch54 may be operated to illuminate the puzzle. The resultant picture hassubstantially no visible discontinuities therein since the upper surface42 of the pieces fit closely and the flanges 44 and 46 conceal the upperedges of the insert.

It will be seen that I have accomplished the objects of my invention. Ihave provided an illuminated puzzle having means for retaining thepieces in the compartments in which they have been placed. My retainingmeans does not detract from the picture resulting when the puzzle isassembled since its edges are concealed from view. When illuminated, mypuzzle presents an attractive, substantially visibly uninterruptedpicture. My puzzle is simple in construction and is inexpensive tomanufacture.

It will be understood that certain features and subcombinations are ofutility and may be employed without reference to other features andsubcornbinations. This is contemplated by and is within the scope of myclaims. It is further obvious that various changes may be made indetails within the scope of my claims without departing from the spiritof my invention. It is, therefore, to be understood that my invention isnot to be limited to the specific details shown and described.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim is:

1. An illuminated puzzle for presenting a pictorial representationincluding in combination, a box having walls and an open top, a lighttransmitting partition in said box dividing said box into upper andlower spaces, an open framework supported in said upper space, saidframework comprising walls forming a plurality of like compartments ofregular configuration open at the top, said compartments havingperipheral upper wall edges, a plurality of removable light transmittinginserts having configurations nestable within the respectivecompartments, said inserts having configurations conforming to that ofsaid compartments, said inserts having tops with upper surfaces carryingrespective portions of said representation, each of said inserts havinga lateral flange approximately as wide as an upper compartment wall edgeextending round approximately half its periphery and over approximatelyhalf the upper wall edge of the corresponding compartment to conceal thesame, and illuminating means disposed in said lower space to light upsaid representation.

2. An illuminated puzzle as in claim 1 in which said compartments have acertain depth from the upper edges thereof to said partition, saidinserts being shallower than said depth whereby said flanges supportsaid elements in said compartments.

3. An illuminated puzzle as in claim 1 in which said upper edges of saidcompartment walls are spaced below the edge of the box walls by adistance approximating the thickness of said insert tops whereby saidupper surfaces are flush with said wall edges.

4. An illuminated puzzle as in claim 1 in which said compartments have acertain depth from the upper edges thereof to said partition, saidinserts being shallower than said depth, whereby said flanges supportsaid ele- 5 ments in said compartments, said upper edges of saidcompartments being spaced below the edge of said box walls by a distanceapproximating the thickness of said insert tops whereby said uppersurfaces are flush with said wall edges.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,902,787 9/1959 Cook 40152.23,178,332 4/1965 Box 273-157 X 2 149 363 3/1939 Rivkin,

6 FOREIGN PATENTS 982,137- 1/1951 France. 424,870 3/1935 Great Britain.633,951 12/1949 Great Britain. 5 123,245 11/1927 Switzerland.

ANTON O. OECHSLE, Primary Examiner.

US. Cl. X.R.

